Missouri
Compromise
Of
1820
In 1819, the United
States was evenly
split between eleven
slave states and
eleven northern states
that banned slavery.
There was a perfect
balance between
North & South in
Congress.
Neither side could
change the system
without more votes in
Congress.
The balance of
power was threatened
when Maine was
prepared to enter the
Union in 1819.
Maine’s entry to
the Union in 1819
would give the North
a majority of power in
Congress. The idea
of an extra northern
state scared the
southern states.
A compromise was
created to keep the
southern states from
feeling “scared.” It
was called the
Missouri
Compromise.
The Missouri
Compromise by
Henry Clay
1. Maine would enter
as a free northern
state in December
of 1819
2. In January of
1820, Missouri
would enter the
country as a
southern slave
state.
3. Starting in Joplin,
Missouri, a line was
drawn westward to the
Pacific Ocean. This line
was the 36 degree
parallel line. Congress
agreed that everything
north of the line would
be forever an area free of
slavery. But, the area
south of the 36 degree
line would permit
slavery.